Controversial rock festival Pandemonium Rocks shared a tribute to the Australian Defence Force on Thursday after coming under fire for scheduling the music event at the same time and location as the Anzac Day March in Sydney.
Event organisers put up a sign outside the show’s new location at Cathy Freeman Park, which paid respect to the men and women who have served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Sharing an image of the sign to Instagram, organisers attempted to make amends after the furore.
‘Pandemonium Rocks thanks all our service men and women,’ the message began.
‘Thanks to Wounded Heroes also who provide crisis support to ADF veterans and their families.’
Controversial rock festival Pandemonium Rocks shared a tribute to the Australian Defence Force on Thursday after coming under fire for scheduling the music event at the same time and location as the Anzac Day March
The message went on to say that representatives of Wounded Heroes were at the festival and urged attendees to show their support by ‘buying a pin’ from the charity.
Earlier this year, the festival, which was headlined by legendary rock acts like Blondie, Alice Cooper and Placebo, attracted controversy when it was scheduled to clash with the traditional Anzac Day March in Sydney.
Thousands of revellers were expected to flock to the Domain in Sydney on April 25 for the day-long Pandemonium event.
At the same time less than a kilometre away, thousands of Aussies were due to line the city’s streets for the traditional Anzac Day March, with up to 10,000 active duty members and veterans taking part.
Event organisers put up a sign outside the show’s new location at Cathy Freeman Park, which paid respect to the men and women who have served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations
Sharing an image of the sign to Instagram, organisers attempted to make amends after the furore
The 11.30am concert start time clashed with the parade – which didn’t wrap up until after midday – sparking concerns from RSL NSW.
The NSW government intervened in January when Premier Chris Minns revealed the concert would not be allowed to proceed in the Domain.
‘There’s not going to be a rock concert in the middle of the city on Anzac Day,’ the Premier told reporters at the time.
‘That part of the city should be and will be a place for diggers to commemorate with their friends and their family and for fellow Australians to commemorate the service of those that have given their lives in the service of our country.’
Earlier this year, the festival, which was headlined by legendary rock acts like Blondie, Alice Cooper (pictured) and Placebo, attracted controversy when it was scheduled to clash with the traditional Anzac Day march in Sydney
The concert also sparked backlash from other veterans before Premier Minns intervened and pulled the plug.
‘A concert starting at 11:30am on Anzac Day, in the Domain, that has nothing to do with veterans and not even a mention in their promotion of it,’ Special Forces Combat veteran Heston Russell tweeted.
‘At the same time as the parade? I hope this is someone’s mistake instead of deliberate disrespect.’
While the festival was not rescheduled for another date, is was promptly moved to Cathy Freeman Park in the Sydney Olympic Park Precinct.
